Method and apparatus for cutting hair

Abstract

An instrument for cutting hair comprises first and second members extending longitudinally in a direction generally perpendicular to a hinge axis of a hinge that connects the two members at proximal ends thereof. Each member has an arm and a leg. The legs have sockets in which blades are received. The arms comprise grip portions for grasping and actuating by a user's hand. During use, the actuation of the arms moves the legs in an arcuate path about the hinge axis similar to jaws on a pair of tongs. The instrument has a closed pinching or clamping position in which the blades meet each other in abutting relation. The method of using the instrument includes selecting blades from a group of tools comprising razor blades, thinning blades and backguards, disposing the selected blades in the sockets of respective legs, separating the legs, placing a lock of hair between the legs, clamping the blades on the lock of hair, and pulling or pushing the blades in a direction along the length of the hair to progressively cut hairs of the lock of hair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe invention relates to haircutting instruments and methods of using the same primarily in barber shops and beauty salons.2. Description of the Related ArtIt is well known to use a straight blade in cutting and thinning hair. In the past this has been accomplished by placing an instrument with a blade on one side of a lock of hair and the user's finger on the opposite side of the lock of hair. The user thus pinches or clamps the lock of hair between the blade and his or her finger. This procedure of pinching or clamping a lock of hair between the finger and a blade has the advantage of slicing the individual hairs at an acute angle which provides a softer feel at the hair ends and also inhibits the problem of the hair breaking. Another benefit of cutting the hair ends in this way is that it causes individual hairs to lie neatly within the lock of hair. However, this is a tedious operation and requires great skill to prevent cuttin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The instant invention overcomes these deficiencies with an instrument that is easy to use, safe, and provides consistency in the angle of the cut.

In use, a lock of hair may be placed between the tools in the instrument legs and the legs may be clamped onto the lock of a hair with light pressure. Depending on the angle of the tools, little or no pressure may be required to continue the cutting action along the length of the lock of hair, cutting the hair is effected by pushing or pulling the instrument away from the person's head. The user may selectively apply more pressure to cut the individual hairs more rapidly or completely sever a lock of hair. Also a user may grasp the lock of hair between the instrument and the person's head to minimize pulling on the hair at the scalp during the use of the instrument.

Problems solved by technology

However, this is a tedious operation and requires great skill to prevent cutting one's finger with the blade.

The present method for pinching and cutting does not assure the safety of the user or provide a consistency in the angle of cut.

It fails to provide an instrument and a method for cutting hair with a straight blade, or any analogous tool that is easy to use.

Still further, it fails to provide an instrument that has easily replaceable tools including blades, or alternatively, with an integral instrument and blades that are replaceable and disposable as a unit.

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